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PROVO — Utah Valley University and the United Way of Utah County laid out plans Monday to donate 50,000 hours of volunteer service to improve literacy.
Of elementary students, 3 in 10 are not able to read at grade level, and this program is designed for them, especially since these students typically are in low-income families. The program is already helping students become more successful.
Rosa Morales is a volunteer tutor who helps young students become better readers at the South Franklin Community Center in Provo.
"We read with them and do their homework and help entertain them if they finish all their homework," Morales said.
Weekdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., you'll find low income elementary students, most of them behind in school, getting one on one help from tutors. Many of the tutors are students at Utah Valley University.
"I want to teach high school, so it is not quite the age range that I'm looking for," said Ashley Sobotka. "But it's definitely helping me develop patience and a love of teaching and helping out students."
Parents, like Tina, are thrilled for the help her 10-, 8- and 5-year-old children are receiving.
"They have too much fun here, getting help with reading and also with math, and they have so much fun with the tutors," she said.
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"One of my kids became student of the month and the other one is pretty good in school today," she said.
UVU selected the Boulders Apartment complex after finding many students don't own a book in English.
"We want to target our efforts in the area it is needed most and we're excited with the response the community has in terms of providing additional resources and energy," UVU President Matthew Holland said during a press conference.
That help is coming from the United Way of Utah County, which is trying to help children who move frequently to stay on track in school.
"It's tough on children and school," said Bill Hulterstorm with United Way, "so bringing in resources to help these children prepare for school will help them today, tomorrow and into the future."
Students went home Monday with a bag of their own books that had been donated to the effort.
This is just of first of what UVU says will be a series of projects to improve literacy and math skills. The University Project for Civic Engagement initiative is designed to help provide UVU students with experiences outside of the classroom while contributing to the community at the same time.
